FALL
Starring: Grace Fulton, Virginia Gardner, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Director: Scott Mann
JOSEPH
Fall is dumb fun, plain and simple. There is absolutely no reason for the events of the film to happen, it’s laughably avoidable, and yet it still draws you in. While the characters and story can feel one dimensional, the technical aspects are not. Through Scott Mann’s direction, Fall utilizes every angle to capture the scope of the situation, creating an anxiety-inducing thrill ride that will have you rolling your eyes at some parts while gasping for breath at others. Its flaws can be glaring, but Fall is far better than it should be with plenty of rewatch value.
NICK
I'll be honest, I was hesitant about Fall. I was concerned it would have more of a clean-cut, young adult vibe, but it's much more akin to something like The Shallows. Now, that's not to say it's without flaws. It can be a bumpy ride. The decisions the characters make are constant head scratchers, and the dialogue is fairly pedestrian. However, the drone work and wide shots of the tower are stunning, while the tension is palpable. There are even a couple twists thrown in for good measure. This is a fun one, and on the big screen, I expect it will be quite the ride.
JACOB
When Fall works, it’s likely to make the audience clench their fists in moments of pure tension, but these moments are too often interrupted and supported by weak characterization and plotting. Most of the time, the film is working as much against itself as it is in its own favor. The disaster elements can be gripping, and the performances mostly succeed, but its writing is as predictable and its characters as unlikable (or unremarkable) as the other half-dozen films of its kind. The one positive I didn’t expect was a genuine twist, but even that holds little power after a few minutes.
QUENTIN
Fall has something of a one-track mind, showcasing acrophobia-related thrills and palpable tension through good cinematography and surprisingly remarkable drone work. On those things alone, it succeeds tremendously. Unfortunately, as most movies do, it also has acting performances, written dialogue, and a story, none of which are very good. In fact, I found myself laughing at some of the silliness and feeling slightly annoyed at how unavoidable the whole situation was, thinking to myself “dumbass millennials” more than once. That said, the good mostly carries you through the bad, especially if you manage to see it on the biggest screen possible.
